Sarasota business flood insurance
Commercial Flood Insurance in Sarasota County
Sarasota County has 24,406 commercial NFIP flood policies, and FEMA's flood program has paid $321.5 million on 2,430 commercial claims in the county in 10 years. An NFIP business policy covers up to $500,000 for the building and $500,000 for what is inside, and never pays for the days you are closed.
Type your Sarasota business address to see its flood zone and whether a lender will require a policy.
Check my business addressReviewed by a licensed, independent insurance agent.
How much has the NFIP paid on Sarasota County business and condo buildings?
Flood claims paid in Sarasota County in the last 10 years, by building type
- Condo association buildings 1,663 claims $256.4M
- Other nonresidential buildings (stores, offices, warehouses, hotels and more) 671 claims $55.3M
- Apartment buildings, 5 or more units 96 claims $9.8M
The events behind the biggest Sarasota claims
- Hurricane Helene 1,512 claims $276M
- Hurricane Milton 582 claims $19.8M
- Hurricane Ian 132 claims $11M
- Hurricane Debby 83 claims $7M
The 24,406 policies count each unit under a condo association's master policy. 1,664 of them are on nonresidential buildings like stores, offices and warehouses.
What does that mean for a business owner in Sarasota County?
One storm made most of it. Hurricane Helene brought 1,512 commercial claims and $276 million in Sarasota County, about 86% of the 10-year total.
Next came Hurricane Milton, with $19.8 million paid on Sarasota commercial buildings.
A flood policy pays to fix the building and replace what was inside. It does not pay for the days you are closed or the sales you lose.
Cover for lost income can only come from a private policy that says so in writing. Ask to see that line before you buy.
How much can an NFIP business policy cover?
| Building type | Building | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Business building (stores, offices, warehouses) | $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Apartment building, 5 or more units | $500,000 | $100,000 |
| Condo association building | Up to $250,000 per unit | $100,000 |
Contents limits are per policy, not per building. Each tenant in a Sarasota strip mall can buy its own contents policy.
Does my lender or the SBA require flood insurance in Sarasota County?
If a Sarasota building is in a high-risk flood zone and secures a loan from a federally regulated lender, the lender must require flood insurance. That is true for business buildings too.
The policy must cover at least the loan balance or the NFIP maximum, whichever is less. For a business building, that is $500,000.
An SBA disaster loan that helps rebuild a business building in a high-risk zone comes with a flood insurance rule too.
A new NFIP policy usually starts 30 days after you buy it. There is no wait when you buy it as part of making, increasing, extending or renewing a loan on the building.
Check my business addressWho do I call in Sarasota County about flood rules for a building?
For a building outside city limits, call the Sarasota County Community Rating System Coordinator at (941) 861-5000, or read the county's flood page.
Cities in Sarasota County run their own floodplain offices. For flood zones, claims and local help across the county, read the Sarasota County flood insurance page.
What about condo associations and apartment buildings?
Condo association buildings in Sarasota County had 1,663 flood claims and $256.4 million paid in 10 years. Apartment buildings with 5 or more units had 96 claims and $9.8 million paid.
Read the Florida condo association flood guide or the Florida rental property flood guide.
Can I get more than $500,000?
Yes. Private flood insurance can be bought on top of the NFIP policy. Read about excess flood insurance.
For the rules in full, read commercial flood insurance in Florida.
What does your Sarasota business address need?
The report shows the flood zone, whether a lender will require a policy, and the claims record near the building. If you want options, a licensed, independent insurance agent compares them for your building.
Questions about commercial flood insurance in Sarasota County?
Does business insurance cover flood damage in Sarasota County?
Usually not. Most commercial property policies leave flood out, so a building owner in Sarasota County buys flood as its own policy, up to $500,000 for the building and $500,000 for contents from the NFIP.
Is flood insurance required for a commercial loan in Sarasota County?
Yes, if the building is in a high-risk flood zone and secures a loan from a federally regulated lender. Check the Sarasota address first: the flood zone decides the requirement.
How long until a commercial flood policy starts?
An NFIP policy for a Sarasota County building usually starts 30 days after you buy it. There is no wait when you buy it as part of making, increasing, extending or renewing a loan on the building.
Who handles flood permits in Sarasota County?
For buildings outside city limits, ask the Sarasota County Community Rating System Coordinator. Its phone number is in the section above. Cities in Sarasota County run their own floodplain offices.